Couples

Jermaine Dupri: Janet And I Are Ready for Baby

By Shayna Rose Arnold

06/23/2008 at 11:15 AM EDT

Janet Jackson might feel "allergic to marriage," but the pop star is ready to have a baby, says longtime boyfriend Jermaine Dupri.

"Yeah, soon," Dupri told PEOPLE Sunday at a dinner party hosted by New Era and Belvedere Vodka at West Hollywood's STK restaurant. "Right after the tour." (Jackson, 42, recently announced she'll be on the road this fall.)

The producer – who has a daughter, Shaniah, from a previous relationship – is so excited to start a family with Jackson, he doesn't even care if it's a boy or a girl.

"It really doesn't matter," he explained at the even honoring rapper Nelly. "Janet would be a great mom. She was around so many brothers and sisters all her life, so she's got to know what that is [like]. And her mom is a great mother."

According to Dupri, Jackson is also a great companion. "The greatest thing in life is just to have a friend," he said. "When I have problems in life, I share them with her. When she has a problem, she comes to me."